Rush at UCSC

[honeychile]

Corina,

I am not going to spout platitudes about what you should and shouldn't do right now; that's not what you need to hear.

Instead, I want to applaud you for what you've accomplished thus far! You have single-handedly founded a local sorority which may or may not become a chapter of a national GLO - and that's NOT to be trifled with!

Not everyone is cut out to be President - Membership Education - Treasurer - Whatever. I don't know whether you truly are not a good president or if you're just down in the dumps about the surrent lack of progress. I'd like to suggest that you take stock in YOU, and if you really don't want to be president, look at the other women & think who would be good in that role. Obviously, you have the right stuff to organize and implement, and that's a far greater talent (in my book) than the ability to maintain order. Well, it's a different talent, and not one to sniff at! From what I've read, you've been President, Rush Chairman, Treasurer, etc, etc, etc, and NO ONE can wear that many hats without buring out!

So, now what? What does appeal to you? Which part of founding NBO really rocked your world? Think hard about it, then sit down with the other (committed) members, and lay it on the line: a sorority that succeeds needs many leaders, of different sorts. Tell them what position you'd like to keep, and if you have suggestions of who would be best at what, make them gently (ie: "Jen's very structured, and would probably be a good president, but I like Amanda's style for parties.").

No one will EVER be able to take away your role as the Founder of NBO (and hopefully, the AZD colony!). Keep that in mind, lead with your strong suit, and see what happens. Don't forget that you have a huge cheering section here at Greek Chat - we've all been in similar positions, and once you get the duties sorted out and being handled by more than one or two people, you're back on track. Good luck, and please keep us posted!

All the best in 2003,
honeychile

ps - if it helps you any, I was miserable as Treasurer! I found my niche in Recruitment & Membership Education. I needed the creativity that these positions offered, and was stifled in others. It happens!

[texas*princess]

Corina,
I agree with honeychile 110%.

I have been following this thread, but haven't been very vocal, and I really do applaud the efforts for people who go out on a limb to get the end result they want, and that is exactly what you have done. It takes a LOT to found a new local sorority, and then to pursue becoming part of a national group. I went through the same exact thing at my other school! When we first started out we had 28 members - the LARGEST group on our entire campus (it was a small school ) By the time the end of Spring term rolled around we were down to 9 members and very heartbroken in the same position you are in. Some women lost interest, some moved back home, some just stop coming to meetings. Our president was feeling very much the same you are feeling right now, but we realized we had to focus on the quality of our members and try not to focus on the quanity. We felt that if we had 9 members, and each of them wanted this badly enough and worked hard enough we would make it happen. We spent all Summer reorganizing and preparing for Formal Recruitment in the fall. You can't do this all by yourself just because you're President. Your sisters should help you! To make a long story short, the 9 women stuck together, stayed determined and focused. They went into Formal Recruitment with 9 women and came out with 19. And now they are shooting for chapter total of 35 and a fully colonized sorority with an international group! Every time I visit them I just have this overwhelming sense of pride because those are my girls!

It really can be done corina! And I wish you the best in your endeavors

[FuzzieAlum]

I would like to second everything Honeychile said! I've never actually seen you in action, but from what you've said I've gotten the impression you are doing a fine job. But burnout is very, very real - most sorority presidents are sick to death of their job after one year in the role, and that's in an established group with a complete set of officers who more or less know what they're doing! You simply can't carry the burden forever.

If you're losing girls because they're transfering, that'll happen, even in the world's best chapter. Maybe it's time, though, to look and see who is left, and who has the leadership skills to take over as president. Let yourself enjoy just being a member.

[mmcat]

perhaps you need to get your girls together for a kick back session and dare we say it -- party. folks who are a bit on the edge are more likely to come out for something fun. you might get a better roll call of who's in and out.
as for you, my friend, you need to relax and look at what you have accomplished and be proud.
don't give up, but understand it's ok to be tired. i echo everyone else and wish you nothing but the best.
you know you have a huge group of friends here and if we could reach out we would.

[phisigduchesscv]

Corina,

Don't give up. As someone just wrote take some time and go out and do fun activities (party, etc) and just relax. Afterwards have a retreat to really plan and see if everyone is where they should be in their roles in the sorority. Maybe someone isn't happy as New Member Educator but is better at being the Secretary etc. Do some switching around then.

A new term is coming up right. Look forward to that. Don't look back at how hard you've worked without the results you're hoping for, Look forward to a new term and just think of it as your starting point. The past term doesn't exist in terms of numbers and recruitment.

Speaking of numbers I know that most Nationals are really concerned about "numbers" but above all they want the quality women who will stick around for life. As someone else just wrote look for the quality women. If you have the quality women soon numbers will follow without seeming to try as hard.

Finally, when Phi Sigma Sigma tried to originally colonize at CSU Dominguez Hills in Spring 2000 it failed dismally (I don't even remember hearing them at all). They thought about just giving up but decided to take one more chance in Fall 2000 to colonize. This time there was some more interest with about 10 women really, really interested in what Phi Sig was about. we started the group going but quickly got discouraged when we heard they wanted to have 30-35 women before they would really start us on the road to colonization, installation, and initiation. We all sat back thought about whether we truly wanted to do it and said yes. Then some of the 10 women started to write a list of women they knew in classes, clubs, etc and started talking to them about Phi Sig, especially the opportunity to leave a lasting mark on campus. that 10 women finally grew to 33 and the colonization process started. From that time to initiation we did lose 4 women due to various family and school pressures. That was finally when we understood why Phi Sig had wanted to have what to us was high numbers to start. They knew that statistically its been shown some women drop before initiation and they wanted to make sure that we could still exist and succeed with the numbers we did. 29 sisters were initiated on March 24, 2001 and it was well worth the hard work and discouragement when we were pinned with our badges for the first time.

Anyway, moral of that story was that sometimes one semester can make the difference. I hope this semester is different for you.

Carolyn

[wishuponastar]

Corina- I am a second year/sophomore at UCSC and I am very interested in joining a sorority. I too think that there needs to be another National sorority at UCSC. I found this thread while looking for more information about greek life at UCSC. I think that your story is very inspiring and I would hate to see you give up all of your hard work now. I think that it is great that you are looking at sororities from the philanthropic point of view and the sisterhood point of view, rather than a superficial point of view! I would love to become a part of your sorority the next time you hold a rush (if you do and I sincerely hope that you do.) and I am sure that there are other girls around campus that feel the same way. Please don't give up! I think that all of the hard work that you have put into this sorority alone makes you a great president!

GOOD LUCK AND KEEP SMILING!!

[wishuponastar]

Sorry, its me again. I forgot to ask. Have you considered having a continuous recruitment process on campus instead of just a one week "rush?" I think that maybe more girls would be inclined to join if there wasn't a specific week to "rush." Hope to hear about recruitment soon...

KEEP SMILING

[wishinhopin]

Hi everyone,

Wow there's been so much to think about recently. I haven't thrown in the towel just yet, in case anyone was worried! I have been insanely overwhelmed, all of my sisters have been in fact. And it's really hard to amend that problem when there's always so much work to do, so many goals to try to accomplish that seem so distant. Plans are basically going as follows: we're going to hold a casual recruitment this quarter, sort of a COB kinda deal. And then next quarter is apparently a mandatory Panhellenic style rush for the multicultural sororities, so that should be interesting. I'm really trying to remember to take this one day at a time...although I will always be sad that things aren't working out with AZD, which I dreamed about for so long, I am still proud of what we have done and are doing. I still feel that if we collectively can't accomplish a whole bunch by the end of this year than I need to really evaluate whether the experience is still worth my time. But I feel a renewed sense of motivation I guess...I forgot how much talking to greekchatters can cheer me up. Also, being away from my sisters over break made me forget that we do have fun and are doing well. Our new plan is to have 3 casual info nights, and literally put a flyer on thw door of every female living on campus. It's alot of work but worth the effort dontcha think? More later, have work today and am oh so tired from this cold that's driving me crazy.
Corina

[pinkyphimu]

that's the spirit corina!!! keep up the good work!

when you get back to school, have a great time with your sisters. prioritize the goals you want to accomplish and work collectively to meet one at a time. this might help people not feel so overwhelmed!! you are going to be great!!

[MTSUGURL]

I'm So proud of you girl!!! I know all of us are. Keep up the excellent work, and you and your sisters are in my prayers. I'm so glad to hear your motivation is on the upswing!!

Crystal

[mmcat]

you're sounding more like yourself, that's good.
just take it one day at a time...
things have an ultimate reason for happening that sometimes we don't get immediately.
you and your girls are winners.
just hold that thought.

[justamom]

mmcat-you're sounding more like yourself, that's good just take it one day at a time...
things have an ultimate reason for happening that sometimes we don't get immediately.
you and your girls are winners.
just hold that thought.

I know it's been long time since I chimed in, but sweetie, what could I say that hasn't been said before? Still, following, still crossing my fingers, still behind you and still think you are GREAT!

Fuzzy Alum is soooooooo right! Burn out is VERY real and hard to avoid without some sort of break or reward.

honeychile-ps - if it helps you any, I was miserable as Treasurer! I found my niche in Recruitment & Membership Education. I needed the creativity that these positions offered, and was stifled in others. It happens!
Without a doubt!

[maggieaxid]

Corina- Sometimes when you look at the big pictrue, it looks so unbelievably overwhelming. But try and break it down and conquer one goal at a time. take it day by day, and don't forget to take care of yourself and your relationships with other people, that will refresh you.

[honeychile]

Originally posted by wishinhopin

Our new plan is to have 3 casual info nights, and literally put a flyer on thw door of every female living on campus. It's alot of work but worth the effort dontcha think? More later, have work today and am oh so tired from this cold that's driving me crazy.
Corina

Alright, good old fashioned DORM STORMING!!!!! Nothing like it to get the recruitment blood pumping!!

Good luck, Corina!
honeychile

[TwinkleAngel]

Hi Corina, I haven't chimed in until today, it's taken me like 3 days to read this thread! What an amazing story! You have a super drive and wonderful perseverence! Best of luck with recruitment and with the future of NBO!

Pi Phi love and Mine,
Jessica